Last night I had the pleasure of enjoying a three piece performance by one of the leading dance companies in the world. Gratis due to my dear friend Abi Stafford, a principal dancer with the company (thanks Abi)! One question people always ask me (having been trained at Joffrey Ballet School, (and have had the pleasure of performing with Abi and in Billy Joel’s broadway musical “Movin’ Out“), is “do you prefer American Ballet Theatre or New York City Ballet?” Having dear friends at both, I will never disclose my opinion. Although with enough cocktails in a dancer-free environment….
Anyways, the first piece titled “Then and There” choreographed by Peter Martins was probably my least favorite. Martin’s TRIES to mimic Balanchine’s style, but for some reason his choreography completely loses the charm. Although the music ranges from “Blue Moon,” to “Getting to Know You” to “That Lady is a Tramp” (and others), the choreography ended up being monotonous and lacked anything to really grab the audience. In fact, although I knew the Balanchine inspired footwork was difficult, even my companions turns to me asking “didn’t that look too easy?” (Don’t get me wrong, dance is SUPPOSED to look effortless, but not EASY).
The second piece “Prodigal Son” is just a classic, choreographed by George Balanchine himself. The performances by Joaquin De Luz (The Prodigal Son) and Kaitlyn Gillialand (The Siren) were spectacular. De Luz’s youthful enthusiasm and athleticism were perfect for the role. Gilliland danced the role of The Siren with a serpent-like creepiness that added the biblical element needed in this story of times. The ensemble also danced very well with extreme precision, and the final moment where The Prodigal Son crawls up his statuesque father and into his arms was simply breathtaking.
The final piece was the one that most resembled a classic Petipa Ballet although was also choreographed by the master George Balanchine. “Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet” was performed in four parts: Allegro, Intermezzo, Andante, and Rondo alla Zingarese and had a traditional “Corp du Ballet.” Naturally Abi Stafford in Allegro was brilliant, the perfect mix of delicacy and athleticism. Pure charisma. The last part also inspired me with the costumes designed after traditional German garb. The ballet was playful and whimsical and just aesthetically pleasing.
So what about the evening would I change? THE LENGTH! The program was a long one, with two intermissions. I didn’t get hope home until past midnight! (and the curtain call was 8 o’clock). By the end I was ready to scream “Uncle!” instead of “Brava!” I would like to suggest to the New York City Ballet that they could cut the program by a half hour by eliminating the over excessive bowing. I mean, c’mon… 6-9 bows per piece (and in some cases per part) is over-doing it.
comment on Marie Douglas-David:
"Oh yes, there is something about Marie D-D all right (no, it ain't DD's, you pervs) rather it's the holes that have shown up in all her purses. How else could one explain the vast amounts of cash s..."
on the rooftop of the Dream Hotel
for the hottest new daytime Saturday party in NYC!
BBQ, Free Frozen Cocktail from 12-1pm
$8 Mojito and $4 Beers.
R.S.V.P: heather@loungebarsnyc.com
Two 200-person seatings (12 noon, 3pm), serving non-Ono prix fixe grub (jumbo lump blue crab cakes, Brandt Beef tournedos...), bottle service, and tropical-themed cocktails ($17, but their vodka tonics run $15, so...); reservations for tables are recommended and walkups are welcome as space allows.
For high rollers, GUGD's roping off several sun-drenched lounges and making them available for $5000 each.
Make a reservation: Gansevoortbikinibrunch@gmail.com
Patriotic Pub Hop
Saturday, July 4th 2pm-til you fall down
No lame family BBQ's or plans of hittin up the Hamptons this weekend?
Come celebrate a booze-fueled Fourth of July with our Patriotic Pub Hop!
Enjoy all you can drink Bud and Bud Light drafts from 2-4pm for just $10 followed by Americana drink specials including $3 Bud/Bud Light drafts, $4 well drinks, $5 Apple Pie shots and $6 Muscle Car-Bombs all night long!
Hop from Black Bear Lodge to Bulls Head Tavern to Whiskey River...Check out the hot dog eating contest...and, if you're still standing- stick around for the Fireworks extravaganza broadcast live on our HDTV's!
To RSVP or for more information please contact WeLoveBars@gmail.com or log on to
http://www.going.com/PatrioticPubHop
Bring a blanket and come downtown for one of the most-
anticipated free concerts of the summer.
The concert is not ticketed, but space is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To celebrate the Hudson’s 400th anniversary New York City will putting on a fireworks display like never before. To join in the festivities the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Times Square will be offering rooms with perfect views and throwing a rooftop party for the first 100 guests to book rooms. These rooms and the party will be offered at special rates listed below.
Also, if there are people that would only like to attend the rooftop party, there is a special offer for that as well.
Come celebrate independence on the roof of the Rivington!
After a week hiatus we're back on the roof and back to the jacuzzis. The weather is supposed to be nice, so if you've been waiting for an appropriate time to come get loose in a rad New York City penthouse, Thursday is absolutely that time.
Benjamin "B Roc" Ruttner of HeavyRoc Music and Jonathan Price Totaro of Reason NY will be deejaying, bottles in the club, babes, etc etc etc.
We're expecting a lot of people so, if you can, please rsvp to info@lolanewyork.com or try and come early
After celebrating our country all day, spend all night honoring our king...of pop, that is. The Suzie Wong lounge will be spinning Michael Jackson music starting after the fireworks and lasting until the wee hours of dawn.
In late 2007, five young professionals, long connected by both friendship and family, decided to pool and tap into their own altruistic nature while encouraging others to do so. Their forum - the party. Calling themselves ‘fun-raisers’ their track record bears evidence
